Geldof pleases in Ruakaka trial

[Wandering Eyes]

Geldof winning on debut at Avondale as a juvenile. Photo: Race Images

Trainers Peter and Dawn Williams have high hopes for their promising three-year-old gelding, Geldof, following his impressive 1050m trial win at Ruakaka on Tuesday.

Jockey Jasmine Fawcett guided the son of U S Navy Flag to an early lead, which they maintained, securing a half-length victory over Group Two winner Aquacade.

Peter Williams expressed his satisfaction with Geldof’s performance, saying, “We haven’t pushed him, we gave him a trial at Waipa, and he had another day out today, and I was very happy with him.”

Geldof had previously made a strong impression with a winning debut as a juvenile, and his trainers are pleased with his development as he enters his three-year-old preparation.

Williams continued, “I reckon he has come back really good. His first trial he was up against the open handicappers, Warren (Kennedy, jockey) didn’t knock him around and just went around on him.”

The trainers decided to test Geldof’s abilities in this trial, and he responded positively. “He has pulled up well, so he will be ready for a race in two or three weeks.”

Looking ahead, a Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) campaign is on the horizon for Geldof, who currently holds odds of +3000 in the futures market for the Christchurch three-year-old feature.

Peter Williams explained, “He is going there if we can get him there.

“He will probably only have two or three runs before the Guineas if he does go. He has got plenty of time up his sleeve. I will just play it by ear at this stage. He will have a go at one of the three-year-old races before he goes, if he is good enough.”

In the same stable, Highly Anticipated is set to make her debut at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday.

Peter Williams commented, “We are hoping that she is just running on. She has only had the one trial, and we have decided to go to the synthetic to give her a run.

“She is quite a slow learner. She is going to take two to three runs before she shows her form.”

The Williams stable has also nominated two contenders for Te Rapa on Sunday, with Our Tristabelle being one of them.

Williams noted, “Our Tristabelle will definitely go. She has done everything right since she has raced. If we got a wet track, it would help a bit. She has only had 15 races and won five, so on her day she is quite good. She has just got to get the right track on the right day.”

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